AI debuts in Kolkata colleges to help students get set for future job market

KOLKATA: Several colleges in the city have introduced Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their curricula from the 2024-'25 academic session, recognising the need to keep students on the cutting edge of what's arguably the most significant — and trendiest — field of study in science and technology.


St Xavier's College is offering AI as a ‘minor subject' to students of all disciplines (science, commerce and the humanities), while some others — including Ramakrishna Mission Residential College (Autonomous), Narendrapur (RKM Narendrapur), Asutosh College and Surendranath College — are offering it as an optional skill-enhancement course for second-year UG students.


"Young people have anyway become familiar with AI,which has become a part of life" said Fr Dominic Savio, principal, St Xavier's College. "So, we felt they should know more about all aspects of AI, including its ethics."


Many students, Savio said, had already been using AI to prepare project work. "When they are availing themselves of such technology, they should at least learn the subject first," he said. "Since this will become a necessity in all spheres, we are allowing students from every field to opt for this minor paper. It's just the first step to our plan of introducing a BSc and MSc in AI."


Colleges under Calcutta University (CU), which have introduced AI, are following the course structure released by the university for a four-year degree programme. A CU official said the courses had been designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of AI for students to tackle a fast-evolving job market.


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At RKM Narendrapur, too, students from any stream can opt for AI as a skill enhancement course in the third semester, said principal Swami Ekachittananda. "Mainly, science-stream students have opted for it but a few from the humanities have also taken it," he added.


AI — or the basics of it — should be learnt by students from every discipline, not just those from a science background, said Surendranath College principal Indranil Kar, saying it would make them ready for the job market. "That is why we introduced the subject as a skill-enhancement course for students from any discipline," he said.


The Bhawanipur Education Society College, too, has introduced a certificate course in AI that open to students from all disciplines from this academic session. "We are creating our own 30-hour certificate course material based on students' needs," said Miraj Shah, college spokesperson.


Netaji Nagar Day College is planning to introduce AI as a skill enhancement course or add-on course in the near future. "We had organised an exhibition to gauge students' feedback, and we were overwhelmed at their excitement," said principal Sonali Banerjee (Jash), adding, "We are very keen on introducing the subject in the UG programme."


Some colleges have also planned internship programmes on AI. Scottish Church College had conducted a two-week-long internship programme, in collaboration with Praxis Business School, emphasizing on data science and AI. Some other colleges, such as Asutosh College, Shri Shikshayatan College, Gokhale Memorial Girls' College, Bidhannagar College and Maharaja Manindra Chandra College have also agreed to conduct similar internship programmes soon, said Sayantani Roy Choudhury, chairperson student's affairs of the Business School.



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